In a showdown between two of West Valley League’s best run attacks, the Toreadors outlasted the Chatsworth Chancellors in a 32-27 contest.

Taft, coming off of a tough loss that dropped their record to 3-2 on the season, looked to take down the Chancellors, who were fresh off of a three game winning streak, improving their record to 4-2.

The game was a rollercoaster for Taft to start the game. An emphasis on aggression was apparent, both helping and hurting the team.

A 15-yard pass from Aiden Melia to Alistair Franciosa, along with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jacob Southall brought the score to just 12-0 for Taft, after the Toreadors failed to convert on their first two 2-point conversions.

A bounce-back drive and score for Chatsworth made it 12-7. Running back Jonathan Velasquez scored from the 1-yard line.

On the following drive, the Toreadors were left with a decision to make. After making it past midfield, a holding call and a false start brought them back to their own 38-yard line.

Flags were coming in bunches for Taft, receiving 10 of them in the first half alone.

“Going through a first half and having 10 flags thrown on you and not seeing any flags thrown on the other side is frustrating,” said head coach Thomas Randolph.

A screen pass to the electric Southall left them in a 4th-and-8 situation on their own 49-yard line.

Taft took the gamble, Melia danced around the pocket, buying time until it ran out as he took a sack for a turnover on downs.

Chatsworth looked to take the lead, marching to Taft’s 1-yard line thanks to some crucial flags against Taft keeping the Chancellors drive alive. The ball was handed off to Velasquez, scoring his second 1-yard touchdown rush of the game to give the Chancellors a 14-12 lead.

“It’s fun when it’s going your way, but we don’t know who we are until we face adversity as men.” Said Coach Randolph

Taking the ball with 4:15 left in the second quarter, a couple short rushes from Southall set the Toreadors pass game up for a huge 26-yard touchdown to Sam Berger with Melia delivering a nice throw on the run.

Taft settled for an extra-point this time, converting to take back the lead, 19-14 with just under two minutes left in the half.

The Chancellors failed to capitalize on their two-minute drill after driving to Taft’s 41-yard line.

With one last chance to take the lead back before the break, Taft’s McCardell Barton intercepted Chatsworth’s pass attempt, protecting the lead as the two teams entered halftime.

The third quarter’s first drive ended in a punt for Chatsworth, returned by Taft to the opponent’s 34-yard line.

A couple of plays later, the Toreadors were in the red zone until another penalty flag took them back to the 36-yard line.

Melia connected with Max Erglis on a 36-yard touchdown pass to break the game open at 25-14 with 6:02 left in the third.

This was Melias final touchdown throw of the day. He finished his evening with three passing touchdowns, all of which came from 15 yards and beyond.

Chatsworth continued to their ground-and-pound approach as they used eight consecutive rushes to get from their own 29-yard line to Taft’s 16. A rare pass brought the Chancellors inside the 2-yard line, and they capped off their drive with a rushing touchdown by Eli Avendano to bring the game to 25-21.

Taft seemed prepared to go blow for blow, scoring on a 59-yard rushing touchdown by Southall with 8:40 left in the fourth quarter. After a successful extra-point attempt the lead was extended to 32-21.

Southall, a workhorse for Taft in this game received nothing but praise from his coach, crowning him the “best running back in the league.”

The Toreadors defense was plagued by more flag trouble, Three penalties kept the Chancellors drive alive, including a rare flag on the home crowd as they played music during Chatsworth’s offensive plays, which awarded them an automatic first down.

Despite these calls, Taft’s defensive unit stopped Chatsworth on a fourth down attempt, with only 20 yards separating the Chancellors and six additional points.

“You can defeat the flags by execution, that was the conversation the entire first half.” said Randolph.

Chatsworth, determined to keep clawing back as they had all night, were able to get the ball back after completing a 4-down stop, on Tafts first drive.

With the game clock hitting less than four minutes, Chatsworth was able to score again, running the ball in the end zone. A failed 2-point conversion left the score at 32-27

With just 29.8 seconds left on the clock, an onside kick recovery would be the Chancellors’ only hope.

As both teams lined up, the kick was off, and the ball bounced between hashes and hands until the Toreadors secured the football, ending the game along with the tension in the air.

Fireworks climbed to the night sky as Taft improved their record on the season to 4-2.

All photos by David Martinez